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Peterborough Asylum & Refugee Community Association

Who We Are

PARCA is Greater Peterborough and the surrounding areas go-to community hub for asylum seekers, refugees and people in need. We operate from a community building in multi-racial Peterborough's most ethnically diverse, socially disadvantaged and income deprived neighbourhood.

We are an inclusive charitable organisation that offers practical support, advice and guidance to anyone regardless of gender, age, ability, race, religion or sexual orientation. Our primary aim is to facilitate a clear understanding of how British society works, and to help people to build successful and fulfilling lives.

With a strong commitment to encourage positive change for all, PARCA is a multi-cultural organisation that works tirelessly to champion social inclusion within society. We celebrate diversity, encourage integration, and create an empowering environment where personal development can flourish through positive participation in our projects, activities, and social events.

Our considered and professional approach and procedures are the key to our continued success at empowering families and individuals to take their rightful place within British society, and to help ensure harmonious integration and enhanced community cohesion both locally and nationwide.

What We Do

PARCA offers comprehensive guidance and assistance to Refugees, Asylum Seekers, EU Migrants and BAMER (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugees) in the Park Ward, Dogsthorpe, Millfield, New England and across all the other residential areas in Greater Peterborough.

The support that we offer targets: culturally and economically disadvantaged people, people facing isolation, new arrivals and anyone else who is in need of help. PARCA has a deeply rooted belief in the power of community development to bring people together, so we openly encourage people to participate and contribute positively in local events and activities to in order break down the barriers that hinder their progress in life.

How Can We Help You?

PARCA has a wide range of 'free of charge' services to fulfil your needs and requirements and we always endeavour to make your journey with us enjoyable. We offer advice, information and guidance on issues such as: welfare, employment, accommodation, education and training.

We run events, activities, and community projects to help you gain knowledge, share experiences, and gain new friends. We provide our service users with help on a short or long term basis in many different ways, and we guarantee to treat you in a professional, respectful and confidential manner. On your behalf we can approach the Peterborough City Council (PCC), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), National Health Service (NHS), education departments, housing associations or any other organisation that you may need assistance with.

Get In Touch

Remember all of our services are 'free of charge'. Call us for more information or drop in at our centre. Visit our website and please send us your feedback in regard to any of our services, events and activities. Please spread the word to your friends and family.

We also have a wide range of volunteering opportunities that you can get involved with, where you can your refresh your existing skills and learn new ones too. So what are you waiting for? Come on and grab the opportunity of supporting people in need. It's fun, rewarding, looks good on you CV and might even help you to get a job in the future.

Youth Activities

PARCA’s Youth Project provides a wide range of activities and schemes for young people to participate in. All of our projects are devised following consultation with the young people themselves. We have a wealth of experience of working with groups of young people from different nationalities, faiths and race. We aim to facilitate a positive impact on these young people’s lives and thus on the wider community in general.

Youth Club

PARCA Youth Club aims to improve outcomes for refugees, asylum seekers and EU Migrant children age between 12- 16 years old, through the provision of activities that reduce social isolation, build stronger social networks ...

Every Child Matters

For most parents, our children are everything to us: our hopes, our ambitions, and our future. Our children are cherished and loved. PARCA has adopted a policy concerning the legislation in Every Child Matters ...

Children & Young

We have a volunteer teacher who runs homework sessions on a Friday evening; this helps young people to improve their abilities in a range of subjects. The subjects that we have supported young people via extra-curricular learning ...

We love to equip women to be independent

Watch our case study

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Our Partners & Supporters

PARCA has been supported and funded by (Past and Current):

Testimonials

“I have joined PARCA Art & Craft session because I felt isolated with no friends and want to come out from house for the support. One day I passed by Northfield Road I saw many people in building and some volunteer ask me to join the art & Craft and I was happy. Now I have new friends from Czech and we meet each time to session. Thank you to PARCA.”

- R.K -

“I was employed and Seetec send m to PARCA for work program and find many good think in centre. I cannot speak good English but PARCA help in join English class. I have good teacher and many people from different country. I am from Poland.”

- S.V -

“I join PARCA from work program; my first refugee week was good to understand why refugees come to Europe. I meet many refugees that have good work and make contribution in economic. I am Czech.”

- S.P -

“I met so many people in centre, different nationality; I am so happy and encourage my neighbour from Poland to come in art & craft class. I am from Slovakia.”

- M.S -

“I think it has been beneficial to me by learning different skills. I really enjoyed the course. I thought at first it was hard and I didn’t pass until the second time. But it has helped me to learn more about Health and Safety and I use my skills in my local church, everyday things around me and it has improved my CV and chance of getting a job.”

- C J - HEALTH AND SAFETY -

“I done the Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene catering course, I found it hard but interesting. I completed the course and was able to take the certificate with me to my Job interview for a catering assistant job at Sawtry School. I felt more confident having done the course and being able to show that I had the relevant knowledge for the job. I am very grateful for the chance to have done the course. I will now be able to apply for other jobs in which this certificate is needed. It has really opened up other opportunities to me. Many Thanks Parca.”

- D S - FOOD SAFETY AND HYGIENE -

“I had previously completed a certificate in Food Safety and Hygiene but it was out of date. My background is in Catering so it was important for me to have an up to date certificate. At Parca I was asked if I would like to take the course again for free so I jumped at the chance. I now have a job working for Subway, if I had not had the certificate I would not have been considered for the position. Thank you very much to Parca.”

- B R - FOOD SAFETY AND HYGIENE -

“Whilst I was at Parca I took a Health and Safety course, which I passed and it has helped me to get a new job. I now work for Sainsbury’s PLC. I found the course really helpful in taught me a lot. I would like to thank Parca for helping me get back into paid work.”

- P D - HEALTH AND SAFETY -

“During my time volunteering at Parca Ltd, I was offered the chance to do a free course in Health and Safety which has helped me with looking for employment. I now feel that there are more options open to me in my search for a job. I would not have been able to do the course if Parca hadn’t been offering it for free. I am grateful to you Parca for extending my knowledge and job prospects.”

- E S - HEALTH AND SAFETY -

About Us

Asylum seekers and refugees come from many diverse cultural backgrounds where English is seldom their first language. This apparent language barrier can make it very difficult for most of them to integrate successfully into British society.